Building inspectors visit R. Kelly's studio

ANI | Updated: Jan 17, 2019 11:56 IST

Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 17 (ANI): Earlier today, several inspectors from the city Department of Buildings visited R. Kelly's recording studio in the West Loop of Chicago and gained access to his warehouse.According to E! Online, the inspection was granted by a Cook County Judge last week after city attorneys suspected people may be living in the building even though the space has not been zoned for that purpose. However, Kelly's rep had no comment about the inspection.A spokesperson for Chicago's Department of Buildings told E! News, "To be clear, the City's emergency motion to gain entry to the building is not related to any criminal case and would only result in building code violations."A spokesperson for the city of Chicago's Department of Buildings also confirmed to E! News that "city inspectors observed building code violations including evidence of residential use which is non-compliant with the zoning code and work performed without approved plans or permits."The city will also incorporate the violations into an amended complaint for a future court hearing.This comes days after Lifetime aired a documentary series titled 'Surviving R. Kelly'. In the episodes, accusers came forward with allegations of sexual, mental and physical abuse against the singer.Kelly has been accused of sexual abuse and misconduct by multiple women over the past two decades.However, Kelly and his team have consistently denied any allegations of misconduct. The 52-year-old singer has also not been convicted of any crimes connected with the allegations.After the episodes aired, the singer's attorney appeared on ABC News to address the claims made against his client."We know what happened, and we know those things didn't happen. The man was not operating a harem, or a sex cult, or holding people hostage or anything like that," his attorney also hinted that Kelly may sue Lifetime for defamation.Since the series premiered, many A-list celebrities including John Legend, Lady Gaga, and Keke Palmer have spoken out against the singer. A movement #MuteRKelly has also been launched. (ANI)